- Cook Government delivers record funding for projects that tackle gender inequality in Western Australia
- 57 community organisations to receive grants ranging from $1,800 to $10,000 through Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Program
- Successful recipients to share more than $530,000 in funding announced on International Women's Day
The Cook Government has delivered a record amount of funding for projects promoting gender equality in Western Australia. A wide range of initiatives which support and empower WA women and girls from all walks of life will share more than $530,000 in funding.
In recognition of International Women's Day, Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery today revealed 57 organisations will receive funding under the Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Program to build a better, fairer and more equitable WA community.
The grants, administered by the Department of Communities, are spread across the priority areas of women's health and wellbeing, safety and justice, women in leadership and economic independence to align with the State Government's Stronger Together: WA's Plan for Gender Equality.
Recipients include the Western Australian Football Commission's Female Umpiring Academy project, which aims to increase the number of female umpires in the sport from 11 per cent to 40 per cent by 2030.
The proposed Academy will provide comprehensive training and support for aspiring female umpires through mentorship programs, networking opportunities, and ongoing professional development to ensure their long-term success and retention.
Other projects to receive funding include:
- The BIKE-CURIOUS Slay the Way Pilot peer support program, co-designed with Year 6 and Year 11 girls to encourage girls to keep riding to school after the transition from primary to secondary school;
- The Spiers Centre Inc Financial Empowerment for Women Overcoming Adversity, a program to teach women experiencing financial hardship how to manage their finances;
- Reach Her Inc Health & Wellbeing and Economic Independence program, which will provide women from diverse backgrounds at Victoria Park Community Centre;
- Orana House Inc Young Women Warriors project, a specialised mentoring program designed to engage and support women aged 10-18 who have experienced family and domestic violence in their family of origin;
- Perth African Women Association's HealthHer: Promoting Women's Health and Wellbeing Project which will promote, empower and enhance the health and wellbeing of women of all ages and backgrounds;
- Spacecubed Foundation Ltd to run the Boosted, Women in Leadership Series Project, which will provide the chance to learn directly from business leaders; and
- Exmouth Chamber of Commerce and Industry to host the Empower Women's Leadership Conference project.
The investment comes in addition to two discretionary grants of $75,000 to encourage female entrepreneurship, announced on Wednesday, 6 March, bringing the total State Government grant funding to more than $680,000.
For more information on the Women's Grants for a Stronger Future 2022-2023 Program, visit:www.communities.wa.gov.au/womensgrants.
As stated by Premier Roger Cook:
"This year we have invested record funding in the Women's Grants for a Stronger Future Program to support more initiatives, and increased resourcing to deliver better outcomes for women and girls.
"From boosting the number of women on our sporting fields, to ensuring more people have the financial literacy skills they need, increasing gender equality across all areas is a win for the entire WA community."
As stated by Women's Interests Minister Sue Ellery:
"Women and girls in WA deserve to live and work safely in a community where diversity is embraced, and access to resources and opportunities isn't determined by gender.
"Progressing gender equality requires a whole of community effort, and I am pleased to be able to support a range of innovative projects across WA."
